Embracing Our Identity as Saints in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Identity as Saints

Description: Being a saint is not about achieving a certain level of holiness but about being set apart by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This identity is a gift from God, and it calls us to live in a way that reflects His holiness and love. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their sanctification and calling as saints are rooted in God's grace, not their own efforts. This is a powerful reminder that our identity in Christ is secure, regardless of our shortcomings. [01:03]

1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV): "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a saint, set apart by God's grace, change the way you view your daily actions and decisions?

Day 2: Cultural Influence

Description: The Corinthians allowed their culture to influence their church, leading to various issues such as disunity, immorality, and public disputes. Paul addresses these issues by reminding them of their identity in Christ and calling them to live in a way that reflects their sanctification. In today's world, we face similar challenges as our culture often contradicts Christian values. It is crucial to guard against letting cultural norms compromise our witness for Christ. [07:48]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: In what ways have you noticed cultural influences affecting your faith and actions? How can you actively resist these influences and stay true to your identity in Christ?

Day 3: God's Faithfulness

Description: Despite the challenges and failures of the Corinthian church, Paul reminds them of God's faithfulness. He assures them that God will sustain them to the end, presenting them guiltless on the day of judgment because of Jesus' sacrifice. This promise is a source of great comfort and hope, reminding us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our performance but on His unchanging nature. [29:04]

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How does this assurance of His faithfulness impact your current challenges and struggles?

Day 4: Living as Saints

Description: Our identity as saints should influence every aspect of our lives. We are called to represent Christ well, whether in our language, relationships, or daily actions. This involves ongoing sanctification, becoming more like Jesus through the Holy Spirit's work in us. Paul encourages the Corinthians to live out their calling as saints, reflecting Christ's love and holiness in all they do. [37:15]

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: What specific changes can you make in your daily life to better reflect your identity as a saint? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you in this process?

Day 5: Grace and Peace

Description: Paul begins his letter with a message of grace and peace, reminding the Corinthians of the abundant grace they have received in Christ. This grace empowers us to live out our calling as saints and to extend grace and peace to others. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our journey; God's grace is always available to sustain and guide us. [19:15]

2 Peter 1:2-3 (ESV): "May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence."

Reflection: How can you extend grace and peace to someone in your life today? What steps can you take to ensure that you are living in the fullness of God's grace?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we embark on a new series titled "Facing the Challenges," focusing on the book of 1 Corinthians. Our journey begins with 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, where Paul addresses the church in Corinth, a city known for its wealth, debauchery, and significant social disparities. Despite these challenges, Paul reminds the Corinthians of their identity as saints, sanctified in Christ Jesus. This message is for everyone, whether you are a believer or someone seeking to understand what it means to be a Christian.

Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a call to remember their identity in Christ amidst a culture that often contradicts Christian values. Corinth was a city filled with moral and social issues, much like our world today. Paul begins by affirming his authority as an apostle and reminding the Corinthians of their sanctification and calling as saints. He emphasizes that being a saint is not about achieving a certain level of holiness but about being set apart by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul's approach is filled with grace and peace, even as he prepares to address the serious issues within the Corinthian church. He acknowledges their spiritual gifts and the richness of their faith, despite their shortcomings. This serves as a reminder that God's grace is abundant and that we are called to live out our identity as saints, representing Christ in all we do.

The message concludes with a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness. Paul assures the Corinthians that God will sustain them to the end, presenting them guiltless on the day of judgment. This promise is rooted in the sacrifice of Jesus, who took on our guilt and offers us a new identity in Him. As we reflect on our own lives, we are encouraged to live as saints, fully embracing our identity in Christ and striving to represent Him well in all aspects of our lives.

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Key Takeaways

1. Identity as Saints: Being a saint is not about achieving a certain level of holiness but about being set apart by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This identity is a gift from God, and it calls us to live in a way that reflects His holiness and love. [01:03]
2. Cultural Influence: The Corinthians allowed their culture to influence their church, leading to various issues such as disunity, immorality, and public disputes. We must guard against letting our culture compromise our witness for Christ. [07:48]
3. God's Faithfulness: Despite the challenges and failures of the Corinthian church, Paul reminds them of God's faithfulness. God will sustain us to the end, presenting us guiltless on the day of judgment because of Jesus' sacrifice. [29:04]
4. Living as Saints: Our identity as saints should influence every aspect of our lives. We are called to represent Christ well, whether in our language, relationships, or daily actions. This involves ongoing sanctification, becoming more like Jesus through the Holy Spirit's work in us. [37:15]
5. Grace and Peace: Paul begins his letter with a message of grace and peace, reminding the Corinthians of the abundant grace they have received in Christ. This grace empowers us to live out our calling as saints and to extend grace and peace to others. [19:15]
### [19:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians
[02:01] - The City of Corinth
[02:56] - Corinth's Moral and Social Issues
[04:38] - Paul's Mission in Corinth
[06:52] - Challenges in the Corinthian Church
[08:31] - Cultural Compromise
[10:21] - Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
[13:11] - Identity as Saints
[15:36] - Sanctification Explained
[18:14] - Grace and Peace
[20:06] - Thanksgiving for the Corinthians
[23:06] - Spiritual Gifts in Corinth
[28:25] - God's Grace for Us
[29:04] - God's Faithfulness
[32:04] - Guiltlessness in Christ
[33:18] - God's Sustaining Power
[34:17] - Called to be Saints
[37:15] - Living as Saints
[39:22] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul remind the Corinthians about their identity in Christ in 1 Corinthians 1:1-2?
How does Paul describe the spiritual gifts and enrichment the Corinthians have received in 1 Corinthians 1:4-7?
According to 1 Corinthians 1:8-9, what assurance does Paul give the Corinthians about their future?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the Corinthians' identity as saints at the beginning of his letter? How does this set the tone for addressing their issues? [13:11]
How does the cultural context of Corinth, as described in the sermon, compare to the challenges faced by the modern church? [02:56]
What does Paul mean when he says that God will sustain the Corinthians to the end and present them guiltless? How does this relate to the concept of sanctification? [29:04]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own identity as a saint. How does understanding that you are set apart by God's grace influence your daily life and decisions? [15:36]
In what ways have you seen cultural influences impact your faith or the church community? How can you guard against compromising your witness for Christ? [07:48]
Paul speaks of God's faithfulness in sustaining us to the end. How can this assurance help you face current challenges or struggles in your life? [29:04]
Consider the spiritual gifts you have been given. How are you using them to serve others and glorify God? Are there areas where you feel you could grow or contribute more? [25:33]
Paul begins his letter with grace and peace. How can you extend grace and peace to others in your interactions this week, especially in difficult situations? [19:15]
Think about a specific area in your life where you may not be living fully as a saint. What steps can you take to align this area with your identity in Christ? [37:26]
How can you remind yourself daily of God's faithfulness and the promise of being presented guiltless on the day of judgment? What practical habits can you develop to keep this truth at the forefront of your mind? [29:04]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "If you consider yourself a follower of Christ by faith, you have chosen to believe in Jesus, and by grace, you have saved you out of your sin, you have saved you, you are a saint. This is for you because it encourages you in your identity and courage." [01:03] (14 seconds) ( | | )

2. "Compromise, witness. Remember the old passage of the Ten Commandments? God says, you should not take the name of the Lord your God. And when we as Christians become followers of Christ, where is the way to go next? We are known by all as Christians, as we speak, but as students, we also represent Him." [09:31] (24 seconds) ( | | )

3. "The eternal son of God himself was born as a baby in a manger took on all his flesh and he was tempted in every way that we're tempted. Every temptation that you could experience had to fall into Jesus' experience. He didn't fall into it. He remained spotless without one life. Yet was rejected and at the end of his life his life was coming to an end but he knew that he was walking toward a cross and he was going to die." [30:37] (37 seconds) ( | | )

4. "If you are sinned you are guiltless and unjustly a holy God the Savior of the universe brings down his justice upon sin making all things right in him. You will be found guiltless but you're so guiltless now that's what it means to be a saint. Jesus was seen in your place." [31:33] (20 seconds) ( | | )

5. "God is faithful if you apply it to that means he will never take back that declaration he will never revoke it but he has made you a saint he will never desert you or forsake you he will sustain you if he has called you his child as a father in heaven he's adopted you to be his child he'll never desert you or forsake you he will never put you to death." [33:33] (27 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "And so, there's an undertone here. Some things that are not stated when He says grace and peace. Church, you have not been gracious. Jesus has been abundantly gracious to you. Grace to you. Church, you have rocked cleaned. Grace and peace is in your midst. Peace to you. Grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Paul makes it up to his beloved people. He wants them to fix these problems in their midst. Because they've compromised their witness." [19:15] (42 seconds) ( | | )

2. "And so, I think the funniest thing I'm going to share today for the Christian is this. called you to be a saint. So, what do you want to do? So, what do you want to pray for? God is offering you to become a saint together. And it's a gracious offering. But I want to ask this for you. Because Paul says, this harsh here. Then you think about that. He's thinking about this. He's not harsh." [20:06] (31 seconds) ( | | )

3. "We see something that I've just found. It seems to me, Paul's words were richly equipped. see that, and I can say, were enriched in him all speech and knowledge. And what we know is that from the rest of the book, this church has spent time with the Apostle Peter, spent significant time with the Apostle Paul, spent significant time with a man named Apollos, who was a teacher of God who was, unlike many others, he was wonderful and abundant in his teaching." [22:24] (32 seconds) ( | | )

4. "We see that the saints have found a spiritual gift that they It says that they were not lacking in any spiritual gift and as we read the book of 1 Corinthians we see exactly that. They had a lot of things to deal with and some are regarding the spiritual gifts that they have. They were seeking praise and those who could translate those who seeked praise and they chose for that. Prophets and preachers and administrators and people who were talked to with a lot of spiritual gifts and they asked and here at our church I would argue with you that we are also spiritually different." [25:33] (40 seconds) ( | | )

5. "And the saints are also true for us here in heaven. We're called to be saints. God has lavishly poured out his grace upon us as still we look at all of this we've never talked about any of the problems yet. There's a reason for that. Paul is one of these people that are dedicated to Christ before he addresses what needs to be addressed." [28:25] (26 seconds) ( | | )

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